University of Michigan Hockey: A Century of Excellence

The University of Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team has a rich and storied history, marked by unparalleled success and a tradition of excellence. Representing the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the team has been a force in college ice hockey since earning varsity status in 1922, competing in 102 seasons.

Early Beginnings: From Informal Games to Varsity Status

In 1920, driven by the enthusiastic participation in interclass and interfraternity leagues, an informal Michigan hockey team was established to represent the university. Mr. Le Mieux of the Engineering faculty, a former professional hockey player with 12 years of experience, volunteered as coach. The team, led by high scorer Russell Barkell, achieved a perfect 6-0 record, outscoring opponents 27 to 7 in a six-game schedule against local and regional teams.

Fueled by the team's success and growing sentiment for a varsity program, Michigan moved forward with the development of the hockey team. In 1921, Joseph Barss was appointed as coach, marking the beginning of intercollegiate hockey at Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The 1921 season saw Michigan and Wisconsin schedule four games, but warm weather led to the cancellation of most of the season.

The 1922 season marked a significant step forward, with the team compiling a 5-5 record over a 10-game schedule. A notable highlight was a 5-1 victory over Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University) in the first hockey match between the rival schools. In March 1922, athletic director Fielding H. Yost expressed his support for recognizing hockey as a minor sport, paving the way for its official varsity status.

According to Bacon's history of the Michigan hockey program, the first "official" college hockey game played west of the Alleghenies was a game between Michigan and Wisconsin, played on January 12, 1923, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The game went into overtime with Michigan prevailing by a score of 2-1. Barss coached the Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team from 1922 to 1927. As the popularity of college hockey grew in the early 1920s, other colleges looked to Barss' pupils for coaching candidates.

The Heyliger Era: A Dynasty is Born

The period from 1947-48 through 1956-57, under the leadership of coach Vic Heyliger, marked the golden age of Michigan hockey. During this time, the team achieved an astounding record of 195 wins, 41 losses, and 11 ties. The Wolverines earned 10 consecutive invitations to the Frozen Four, capturing the national title six times. This unprecedented success shifted the balance of power in college hockey from the East to the West.

Heyliger's impact on the program is undeniable. He coached nearly half (24) of Michigan's 53 All-American players between 1948 and 1957. Twelve Wolverines have won it twice or more in Michigan history. Heyliger coached nine of them and recruited the tenth, Bob White. Heyliger's contributions were recognized with his induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was selected in 1996 by the American Hockey Coaches Association as one of the five best college coaches of the century. In 1980 he became the first hockey coach to be inducted into the University of Michigan's Hall of Honor.

Transition and the Renfrew Years

Heyliger's departure in 1957 due to health reasons led to the appointment of Al Renfrew as head coach. Renfrew inherited a strong team, but his first two seasons saw the program's first losing records since World War II.

From 1958 to 1964, Renfrew recruited 14 players from Regina, Saskatchewan, including Red Berenson. Berenson's decision to attend Michigan over pursuing a professional career in the Montreal Canadiens system proved pivotal for the program.

After sitting out his first year, Berenson made an immediate impact, scoring a hat trick in his first game in 1960. Renfrew's team earned its first NCAA bid in 1962, but was upset by Clarkson in the semifinal.

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The 1964 squad, led by Gary Butler and Gordon Wilkie, achieved unprecedented offensive success, becoming the first Michigan team to score over 200 goals in a season. The Wolverines capped off this remarkable season with a 6-3 victory over Denver in the NCAA Championship game, securing their seventh national title.

From Farrell to Berenson: A New Era Begins

Renfrew retired in 1973 and was succeeded by Dan Farrell. Farrell guided the Wolverines to the 1977 NCAA championship game. Wilf Martin briefly returned as head coach before being replaced by John Giordano.

In 1981, the Wolverines joined the CCHA conference, marking a new chapter in the program's history. After a stint in the NHL, Red Berenson returned to his alma mater in 1984 to take over as head coach.

Berenson's arrival marked a turning point for the program. After several years of rebuilding, the Wolverines won a CCHA playoff series in 1990 and returned to the NCAA tournament in 1991, beginning a record-setting streak of 22 consecutive appearances.

The Berenson Era: Sustained Success

Under Berenson's leadership, the Wolverines consistently competed at the highest level of college hockey. The team played in 22 consecutive NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournaments from 1991 to 2012, an NCAA record. The Wolverines have won nine Division I NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championships, seven of which came during a 17-year stretch between 1948 and 1964.

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From the Daily: Down 2-1 in the second period of Michigan’s quarterfinal matchup with Minnesota in the 1996 NCAA Tournament, junior forward Mike Legg scored a goal so memorable and so iconic that it has become known simply as “the Michigan” - and it even has its own Wikipedia page.

"There is nothing like this,” Michigan coach Red Berenson said in 1996. On Dec. 11, with 113,411 fans in attendance, Michigan faced off against Michigan State for an outdoor game in the Big House.

The Pearson Era and Beyond

After Berenson's retirement in 2017, Mel Pearson, a former assistant coach under Berenson, took over as head coach. Pearson led the team to two Frozen Fours during his tenure. However, he was fired in August 2022.

Just two days later, Brandon Naurato was hired as interim head coach.

Triumphs and Records

Michigan's hockey program boasts an impressive list of accomplishments:

Record-setting number of championships
Most total championship tournament appearances
Most consecutive tournament appearances (22)
Nine Division I NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championships
17 titles at the Great Lakes Invitational

Players from the program have earned numerous honors, professional championships, international championships, individual statistical championships, team and individual records. The program has dozens of National Hockey League alumni and over twenty current players.

A Lasting Legacy

The University of Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team has established a legacy of excellence, marked by its rich history, unparalleled success, and tradition of producing exceptional players and coaches. From its humble beginnings to its status as a national powerhouse, the program has consistently strived for greatness, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of college hockey. With a passionate fan base and a commitment to excellence, the Wolverines are poised to continue their winning tradition for years to come.

The Modern Era: NHL Draft Success and Unfinished Business

The Michigan Wolverines continue to be a force in college hockey, attracting top talent and competing for championships.

Four U-M players were among the top five draft picks in the 2021 NHL Draft, including defenseman Owen Power, tapped No. 1 overall by the Buffalo Sabres. Matty Beniers, Luke Hughes and Kent Johnson also followed Power to become top five picks. In addition, Mackie Samoskevich was picked No. 24 overall by the Florida Panthers.

"It’s a story that’s never happened before,” says sports broadcaster Jon Paul Morosi, an expert on the NHL. “In all the history of amateur hockey, in America, Canada, and Europe, there’s never been a team that’s produced four of the top five draft picks in a single draft.”

Players revel in the atmosphere at Yost, where last season’s silence has been replaced by a more typical rowdy enthusiasm. The game marked the first time that fans had been in the stands since March 7, 2020-and the first time more than half the team had played in front of spectators. More than 5,000 people, close to Yost’s capacity, showed up even though the game didn’t count in the standings. The Children of Yost student section and the Michigan hockey band filled two sections and startled the players and even the head coach with their cheers, chants, and singing.

“There’s a sense of unfinished business,” Morosi says of this team. “They didn’t get a chance to play in the NCAA tournament last year. They want to do that. They want to see how far they can take this.”

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